Imaging device and method for use in an autochanger

ABSTRACT

An autochanger includes an imaging device affixed to a media handling device. The autochanger is of the type that uses optical indicia to identify media pieces located therein. The imaging device is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the media handling device. The autochanger moves the imaging device to positions relative to the media pieces where the imaging device can read the indicia. The autochanger further moves the imaging device relative to the media handling device to optimize the reading capability of the imaging device without increasing the size of the autochanger.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The following invention generally relates to an imaging deviceused in an autochanger and, more particularly, to a bar code readermovably attached to a media handling device used in an autochanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An autochanger is a device that is used for storing large amountsof data on a plurality of media pieces, such as magnetic or opticalmedia. An autochanger typically comprises a media library, a mediahandler, a media player, and a processor. The media library typicallyhas a plurality of bays that store individual media pieces. The mediaplayer translates the data stored on the media pieces to a usableformat, e.g., a binary format. The media player also writes data ontothe media pieces. The media handler, which may also be referred toherein as a “picker,” transports the media pieces between the bays inthe media library and the media player. The processor controls themovement of the media handler and indexes the locations of the mediapieces within the autochanger.

[0003] One of the uses of the autochanger is for backing up largeamounts of data. For example a bank or other industry may have accountinformation and the like stored as data in a storage system. The storagesystem provides for quick access to the account information duringbusiness hours. The bank or other industry may back up the data on aperiodic basis, e.g., nightly, in case the data stored in the storagesystem becomes corrupt. In the event the data stored in the storagesystem becomes corrupt, it can readily be replaced by transferring datafrom the media pieces stored in the autochanger to the storage system.In addition, if only a portion of the data in the storage system becomescorrupt, that portion may be replaced by its copy stored in theautochanger. Accordingly, it is necessary for the autochanger to catalogwhere particular portions of data are stored within the autochanger. Forexample, the autochanger may index portions of data to the locations onparticular media pieces where the data is located.

[0004] Some autochangers use media pieces that have optical indicialocated thereon that serve to identify the individual media pieces. Theoptical indicia may, as an example, be conventional bar codes thatcorrespond to alphanumeric characters, which identify each individualmedia piece. An optical reader may be attached to the media handlingdevice and may serve to read the optical indicum. For example, theoptical reader may be a bar code reader. The autochanger uses theoptical reader to “read” the optical indicia and, thus, to identify theindividual media pieces located within the autochanger.

[0005] Some autochangers have a scanning beam bar code reader attachedto the media handler, which allows the autochanger to read the bar codesattached to the media pieces. Scanning beam bar code readers, however,are typically expensive and comprise several moving parts, which makesthem susceptible to failure. The increased susceptibility to failure isdue to the scanning bar code readers being attached to the mediahandler, which moves throughout the autochanger. This movement typicallycauses relatively harsh acceleration forces to be applied to the barcode readers. Thus, the addition of scanning bar code readers to theautochanger increases the cost of the autochanger and reduces itsreliability.

[0006] The media library typically comprises several adjacent columns ofmedia pieces. The media handler moves in a vertical direction to accessmedia pieces stored in a particular column. The media handler also movesin a horizontal direction to access media pieces stored in differentcolumns. An objective in the design of autochangers is to limit the sizeof the autochangers, thus, the media pieces in the library are typicallycompacted within a small space. In addition, the movement of the mediahandler should be limited so as not to require additional space in theautochanger for movement.

[0007] Therefore, a need exists for a bar code reader that may beaffixed to a media handling device used by an autochanger wherein thebar code reader is minimally susceptible to failure due to the movementsof the media handling device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An autochanger having an imaging device attached to a mediahandling device is disclosed herein. The autochanger may comprise alibrary and a media handling device that is movable relative to thelibrary. The media handling device may comprise a support mechanismhaving a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion isattached to the media handling device and wherein the second portion ismovably associated with the first portion. An imaging device may beattached to the support mechanism second portion. The support mechanismsecond portion may have a first operative position and a secondoperative position relative to the support mechanism first portion.

[0009] The library may be adapted to hold a plurality of media pieceshaving optical indicia affixed thereto. The autochanger may move themedia handling device to positions where the imaging device may read theoptical indicia. In order to provide a minimally sized autochanger, theimaging device may move between the first operative position and thesecond operative position to read selected indicia. This movement allowsthe media handling device to move the imaging device to positions whereit is able to read the indicia without the need to move beyond theconfines of the autochanger.

[0010] The attachment of the imaging device to the media handling deviceallows for relative movement between the imaging device and the mediapieces. This relative movement may be used by the imaging device to readthe indicia affixed to the media pieces by causing the imaging device to“scan” the indicia. In the situation where the indicia are bar codes,the relative movement may be used by the imaging device to scan the barcodes. Accordingly, the imaging device may be a fixed beam bar codereader rather than a scanning beam bar code reader, which reduces thecost and improves the reliability of the autochanger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top, rear, cut away perspective view of anautochanger.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a front view of a library located in the autochanger ofFIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top front perspective view of a picker illustrated inthe autochanger of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top view of the picker illustrated in FIG. 3 having animaging device located in a first position relative to the picker.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a top view of a support mechanism illustrated in thepicker of FIG. 3 having an imaging device attached thereto.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side view of a retainer illustrated in the picker ofFIG. 3.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a side, cut away view of a slide mechanism illustratedin the picker of FIG. 3.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a side view of an engagement member illustrated in theautochanger of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 9 is view of the picker illustrated in FIG. 3 with theimaging device located in a second position relative to the picker.

[0020]FIGS. 10A and 10B are a flowchart that describes the operation ofthe autochanger of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021]FIGS. 1 through 10, in general, illustrate a media handling device100 comprising a support mechanism 260 having a first portion 262 and asecond portion 264. The first portion 262 is attached to the mediahandling device 162 and wherein the second portion 264 is movablyassociated with the first portion 262. An imaging device 250 is attachedto the support mechanism second portion 264. The support mechanismsecond portion 264 has a first operative position and a second operativeposition relative to the support mechanism first portion 262.

[0022]FIGS. 1 through 10 also, in general, illustrate an autochanger100. The autochanger 100 comprises a media library 160 having aplurality of media holding bays and a media handling device 162 movablyassociated with the media holding bays. The media handling device 162comprises a support mechanism 260 having a first portion 262 and asecond portion 264 wherein the first portion 262 is attached to themedia handling device 162 and wherein the second portion 264 is movablyassociated with the first portion 262. The support mechanism secondportion 264 has a first operative position and a second operativeposition relative to the support mechanism first portion 262. An imagingdevice 250 is attached to the support mechanism second portion 264.

[0023]FIGS. 1 through 10 also, in general, illustrate a method forreading optical indicia 196 attached to media pieces 170. The methodcomprises: providing a first media piece 180 located at a firstposition, the first media piece 180 having a first optical indicum 196attached thereto; providing a second media piece 200 located at a secondposition, the second media piece 200 having a second optical indicum 196attached thereto; providing a media handling device 162. The mediahandling device 162 comprising a support mechanism 260 having a firstportion 262 and a second portion 264. The first portion 262 is attachedto the media handling device 162 and the second portion 264 is movablyassociated with the first portion 262. The support mechanism secondportion 264 has a first operative position and a second operativeposition relative to the support mechanism first portion 262. The methodfor reading optical indicia 196 further comprises: providing an imagingdevice 250 attached to the support mechanism second portion 264; movingthe support mechanism second portion 264 to the first operativeposition; reading the first optical indicum 196 using the imaging device250; moving the support mechanism second portion 264 to the secondoperative position; and reading the second optical indicum 196 using theimaging device 250.

[0024]FIGS. 1 through 10 also, in general, illustrate a method forreading an optical indicum 196 attached to a media piece 180. The methodcomprises: providing a media handling device 162, the media handlingdevice 162 being movable relative to the optical indicum 162; providinga fixed beam imaging device 250 attached to the media handling device162; causing relative movement between the imaging device 162 and theoptical indicum 196; generating image data representative of the opticalindicum 196 while the imaging device 162 is moved relative to theoptical indicum 196.

[0025] Having generally described the apparatus and method, they willnow be described in greater detail. Except for the addition of animaging device 250 and an engagement member 164 described herein,autochanger 100, including the components thereof, may, for example, beof the type commercially available from the Hewlett-Packard Company andsold as Model Number HP 4228w or of the type described in the followingU.S. Pat. No. 5,644,559 of Christie, et al., for FLIP LATCH ASSEMBLY FORMEDIA AUTOCHANGER; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,096 of Christie, et al., forMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING OPERATING POSITIONS OF A MEDIAAUTOCHANGER, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference for allthat is disclosed therein.

[0026] A cut away top perspective view of the autochanger 100 isillustrated in FIG. 1. It should be noted that for illustrationpurposes, the view of FIG. 1 is a rear view of the autochanger 100. Forreference purposes, the autochanger 100 and its components are describedherein with reference to a horizontal direction 110 and a verticaldirection 116. The horizontal direction 110 is sometimes referred to asa translational direction. The horizontal direction 110 may be describedin greater detail with reference to a positive horizontal direction 112and a negative horizontal direction 114. The vertical direction 116 maybe described in greater detail with reference to a positive verticaldirection 118 and a negative vertical direction 120.

[0027] The components comprising the autochanger 100 may be located in achassis 130. It should be noted that, for illustration purposes, not allthe components comprising the autochanger 100 are illustrated as beinglocated in the chassis 130 of FIG. 1. The chassis 130 may contain alibrary 160, a picker 162, an engagement member 164, and a media player166. Servos and other drive mechanisms that move the picker 162 withinthe chassis 130 are not illustrated in FIG. 1. The chassis 130 may be aparallel-piped structure having a right portion 132, a left portion 134,top portion 136, a bottom portion 138, a rear portion 140, and a frontportion 142. The right portion 132 and the left portion 134 may beseparated by a width W1. One of the objectives in the design of theautochanger 100 is to minimize the size of the chassis 130, which isachieved, in part, by minimizing the width W1.

[0028] The library 160 may contain a plurality of media pieces 170,wherein each media piece 170 is stored in an individual bay. The library160 may have the media pieces 170 arranged in columns. The autochanger100 illustrated in FIG. 1 has three columns in the library 160, a firstcolumn 174, a second column 176, and a third column 178, that extend inthe vertical direction 116. It is to be understood that the use of threevertically extending columns of media pieces 170 is for illustrationpurposes only and that the autochanger 100 may have more or fewercolumns and that the columns may extend in other directions. The mediaplayer 166 may be located in the proximity of the library 160 and mayserve to read data from and write data to the media pieces 170 in aconventional manner. It should be noted that only one media player 166is illustrated as being located in the chassis 130, however, it is to beunderstood that several media players 166 may be located in the chassis130.

[0029] A partial front view of the library 160 with media pieces 170located therein is illustrated in FIG. 2. The media pieces 170 areillustrated herein as being digital linear tape cartridges, however, itis to be understood that other forms of media may be used in place ofthe digital linear tape cartridges. Two media pieces, a first mediapiece 180 and a second media piece 200, will be used as references todescribe all the media pieces 170 and the relations of the media pieces170 to the chassis 130. The first media piece 180 may have a left side182, a right side 184, a top side 186, a bottom side 188, and a frontside 190. The left side 182 may be separated from the right side 184 bya width W2 and the top side 186 may be separated from the bottom side188 by a height Hi. The front side 190 may have a read/write portion 198with a read/write switch 192 located therein. The read/write switch 192may serve to prevent data from being erased from the media piece in aconventional manner. The front side 190 may also have an indicum portion194 with an indicum 196 located therein. The indicum 196 may have a leftportion 197 and a right portion 199. The indicum 196 may, as an example,be a conventional bar code that contains information, which identifiesthe first media piece 180. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the indicum portion194 is located in the proximity of the right side 184 of the first mediapiece 180.

[0030] As described above, the indicum 196 may, as an example, be aconventional bar code. The bar code may have a series of bars and spacesthat extend in the vertical direction 116. The indicum 196 may representan identification, such as an alphanumeric sequence, that distinguishesthe individual media pieces from each other. The indicum 196 may be“read” from the left portion 197 to the right portion 199 by aconventional bar code reader in a conventional manner.

[0031] The right side 184 of the first media piece 180 may be separatedfrom the left portion 134 of the chassis 130 by a distance D1. The leftside 182 of the second media piece 200 may be separated from the rightportion 132 of the chassis 130 by a distance D2. Accordingly, the widthW1 of the chassis 130 is dependant on the distance D1 and the distanceD2. One method of meeting the design objective of having a small chassis130 is by minimizing the distance D1 and the distance D2.

[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1, the picker 162 may be located adjacentthe library 160 and may move throughout the chassis 130 in thehorizontal direction 110 and the vertical direction 116. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the picker 162 may serve to transportthe media pieces 170 between the media player 166 and the library 160.The autochanger 100 may have servos and orientation systems that movethe picker 162 within the autochanger 100 and determine the position ofthe picker 162 within the autochanger 100. Examples of servo andorientation systems used in an autochanger are described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,544,146 for CARTRIDGE HANDLING SYSTEM of Luffel et al., which ishereby incorporated by reference for all that is disclosed therein.

[0033] The chassis 130 may have a plurality of hard stops, not shown,that limit the movement of the picker 162 within the chassis 130. Whenthe picker 162 encounters a hard stop, the current supplied to theservos moving the picker 162 against the hard stop will increase. Thus,by measuring the current supplied to the servos, the autochanger 100 isable to determine if the picker 162 has encountered a hard stop or otherencumbrance within the autochanger 100.

[0034]FIG. 3 provides an enlarged view of the picker 162. It should benoted that the view of the picker 162 illustrated FIG. 3 is reversedfrom the view of the picker 162 illustrated in FIG. 1. The picker 162may have a front portion 230, a rear portion 232, a left portion 234, aright portion 236, a top portion 238, and a bottom portion 240. Thefront portion 230 may have an opening 244 formed therein. The opening244 may have a height H2 and a width W3, which may be appropriatelysized to allow a media piece 170, FIG. 2, to pass into the picker 162.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, which is a top view of the picker 162, thetop portion 238 of the picker 162 may have a first servo 246 and asecond servo 248 attached thereto. The first servo 246 may serve totransport digital linear tapes through the opening 244, FIG. 3, in aconventional manner. For example, the first servo 246 may serve toextract media pieces 170, FIG. 2, from and insert media pieces 170, FIG.2, into the library 160. The second servo 248 may serve to move thepicker 162 in the horizontal direction 110 in a conventional manner. Acurrent monitor, not shown, may be associated with the second servo 248and may serve to indicate when the picker 162 encounters a hard stop orother encumbrance within the autochanger 100, FIG. 1.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the top portion 238 of the picker 162may have a support mechanism 260 attached thereto. FIG. 5 illustrates anenlarged view of the support mechanism 260. As will be described ingreater detail below, the support mechanism 260 may serve to slidablyattach an imaging device 250 to the picker 162. The support mechanism260 may have a first portion 262 slidably associated with a secondportion 264. The first portion 262 may have a bracket 268 with aplatform 270 attached thereto. The bracket 268 may have a plurality ofholes 272 with screws 274 passing therethrough. The holes 272 inconjunction with the screws 274 serve to secure the support mechanism260 to the picker 162.

[0037] The platform 270 may have an upper side 276 and a lower side 278.A first retainer 280 and a second retainer 281 may be attached to orintegrally formed with the upper side 276. The first retainer 280 andthe second retainer 281 may be substantially similar to each other.Referring briefly to FIG. 6, which is a side view of the first retainer280, the first retainer 280 may be a T-shaped device having a stem 282attached to a cross member 284. The cross member 284 may have a firstguide portion 286 and a second guide portion 288 facing the platform270. The first guide portion 286 and the second guide portion 288 may belocated a distance D3 from the upper side 276 of the platform 270.Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, as will be described in greater detailbelow, the first retainer 280 and the second retainer 281 may serve toguide the second portion 264 in the horizontal direction 110 relative tothe first portion 262. The first retainer 280 and the second retainer281 may also serve to retain the second portion 264 in close proximityto the first portion 262.

[0038] The platform 270 may have a lock mechanism 290 associatedtherewith. Referring to FIG. 7, which is a front cut away view of theplatform 270, the lock mechanism 290 may pass through the platform 270.As will be described in greater detail below, the lock mechanism 290 mayserve to lock the second portion 264 of the support mechanism 260relative to the platform 270. The lock mechanism 290 may have a firstlock 292 and a second lock 293, FIG. 5, located in a housing 294. Onlythe first lock 292 is illustrated in the side view of FIG. 7, however,both locks 292, 293, FIG. 5, are described with reference to the firstlock 292 illustrated in FIG. 7. The first lock 292 may have a topportion 298, a bottom portion 300, a first slope 302, a second slope304, a first extension 306, a second extension 308, a first contactsurface 310, and a second contact surface 312. The first slope 302 andthe second slope 304 may be substantially planar surfaces that areformed at an angle relative to the top portion 298. The first contactsurface 310 and the second contact surface 312 may be portions of thefirst extension 306 and the second extension 308 that are adapted tocontact the lower side 278 of the platform 270. The housing 294 mayserve to contain the first lock 292 in the proximity of the platform270. A spring 296 or other detent mechanism may be connected between thefirst lock 292 and the housing 294.

[0039] The spring 296 may serve to bias the first lock 292 in thepositive vertical direction 118. When the first lock 292 is extended inthe positive vertical direction 118 it is sometimes referred to as beingin the “locked” state. Moving the first lock 292 in the negativevertical direction 120 may be accomplished by applying a force innegative vertical direction 120 to the top portion 298 of the first lock292. Moving the first lock 292 in the negative vertical direction 120may also be accomplished by applying a force in the positive horizontaldirection 112 to the second slope 304 or applying a force the negativehorizontal direction 114 to the first slope 302. When the first lock 292is moved in the negative vertical direction 120 it is sometimes referredto as being in the “unlocked” state. It should be noted that the firstlock 292 and the second lock 293, FIG. 5, both may be located in thesame housing 294 and connected to the same spring 296. Referring againto FIGS. 4 and 5, the first lock 292 and the second lock 293 may extendthrough the platform 270 to engage the second portion 264 of the supportmechanism 260.

[0040] The second portion 264 of the support mechanism 260 may beoperatively or slidably associated with the platform 270 and, thus, thefirst portion 262. The second portion 264 may have a slide 330 with abracket 332 attached thereto. The bracket 332 may serve to support theimaging device 250. The slide 330 may have a first end portion 334 and asecond end portion 336 with a first mid portion 338 and a second midportion 339 located therebetween. Referring again to FIG. 7, whichillustrates a side cut away view of the slide 330, including the firstmid portion 338, the slide 330 may have a first stop 340 associated withthe first end portion 334 and a second stop 342 associated with thesecond end portion 336. The first mid portion 338 may have a first openportion 346, a second open portion 348, and a closed portion 350. Thefirst open portion 346 and the second open portion 348 may beappropriately sized so that the first lock 292 may pass through them. Afirst channel 344 may extend between the first stop 340 and the secondstop 342 and may extend below the closed portion 350. The first channel344 may be appropriately sized so as to accommodate the first lock 292,which allows the slide 330 to move in the horizontal direction 110 as isdescribed in greater detail below.

[0041] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second mid portion 339 maybe substantially similar to the first mid portion 338. The second midportion 339 may have a first open portion 352, a second open portion354, and a closed portion 356 that are substantially similar to theircorresponding parts of the first mid portion 338. A second channel, notshown, that is substantially similar to the first channel 344, FIG. 7,may extend between the first stop 340 and the second stop 342 and underthe closed portion 356. The second channel may be appropriately sized toaccommodate the second lock 293 as the second portion 264 moves relativeto the first portion 262. The closed portions 350, 354 may serve tocover the first channel 344 and the second channel so as to recess thelocks 292, 293 into the housing 294 as the slide 330 moves in thehorizontal direction 110.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the use of two mid portions 338, 339in conjunction with the first and second retainers 280, 281 provides fora substantially linear movement of the second portion 264 relative tothe first portion 262 in the horizontal direction 110. With reference tothe first retainer 280, the first guide portion 286 and the second guideportion 288 may contact the first mid portion 338 and the second midportion 339 respectively. This contact retains the slide 330 in closeproximity to the upper side 276 of the platform 270. In addition, thiscontact provides for a linear movement of the slide 330 relative to theplatform 270 in the horizontal direction 110.

[0043] The second mid portion 339 may have a cable clasp 328 attachedthereto. The cable clasp 328 may serve to secure a data and/or powercable, not shown, associated with the imaging device 250. The cableclasp 328 prevents the data and/or power cable from binding oncomponents located within the autochanger 100, FIG. 1, as the secondportion 264 and the picker 162 move relative to each other andthroughout the autochanger 100, FIG. 1.

[0044] Referring again to FIG. 1, the engagement member 164 may extendfrom the top portion 136 of the chassis 130. An enlarged side view ofthe engagement member 164 is illustrated in FIG. 8. The engagementmember 164 may be a rigid member having an upper side 360 and a lowerside 362. A first prong 364 and a second prong 366 may extend from thelower side 362. The mid section of the first prong 364 may be located aD4 from the top portion 136 of the chassis 130. A first hole 368 and asecond hole 370 may extend through the engagement member 164 and the topportion 136 of the chassis 130. A first fastener 372 and a secondfastener 374 may extend through the first hole 368 and the second hole370 respectively. The first fastener 372 and the second fastener 374 mayserve to attach the engagement member 164 to the top portion 136 of thechassis 130.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, the first prong 364 and the secondprong 366 may be adapted to contact the first mid portion 338 and thesecond mid portion 339 of the slide 330. More specifically, they mayserve to press the first lock 292 and the second lock 293 while pushingagainst either the first stop 340 or the second stop 342. This may beachieved by having the distance D4 appropriately sized so that the firstprong 364 and the second prong 366 are able to contact the first midportion 338 and the second mid portion 339. Accordingly, the first prong364 may serve to release the locks 292, 293 in the support mechanism 260and to move the second portion 264 relative to the first portion 262.The first prong 364 and the second prong 366 may also serve to pressagainst the first stop 340 and the second stop 342 of the slide 330.Thus, the engagement member 164 may ultimately serve to move the imagingdevice 250 relative to the picker 162 as is described in greater detailbelow.

[0046] Referring again to FIG. 3, the imaging device 250 may be securedto the bracket 332 of the second portion 264 in a conventional manner.The imaging device 250 may, as an example, be a conventional, stationarybeam, bar code reader. The imaging device 250 may, as an example, be ofthe type commercially available from the Welch Allyn Company ofSkaneateles Falls, N.Y. and sold under the tradename SCANTEAM® 6500. Theimaging device 250 may receive a pencil beam of light, which isillustrated as extending along an axis AA. The imaging device 250 may“read” an indicum 196, FIG. 2, by scanning the axis AA across an indicum196, which causes the imaging device 250 to generate an image of theindicum 196. The imaging device 250 may output digital data that isrepresentative of the image of the indicum 196, which may be processedby a processor, not shown.

[0047] Referring again to FIG. 1, as was briefly described above, theautochanger 100 may have position sensors, not shown, that determine theposition of the picker 162 within the autochanger 100. The autochanger100 may also have sensors that determine if the picker 162 hasencountered an obstacle or a hard stop. For example, current sensors maymonitor the current supplied to the second servo 248 and other servos,not shown, that move the picker 162 within the autochanger 100. If aservo attempts to move the picker 162 against an obstacle, the currentdrawn by the servo will increase. By monitoring the current, theautochanger 100 is able to determine if the picker 162 has encounteredan obstacle or a hard stop. This technique may be used by theautochanger 100 to determine if the picker 162 has properly engaged theengagement member 164 as will be described in greater detail below.

[0048] Having described the components comprising the autochanger 100,the operation of the autochanger 100 will now be described in greaterdetail. The following description provides a summary of the operation ofthe autochanger 100, followed by a more detailed description of theoperation of the autochanger 100.

[0049] In summary, the autochanger 100 serves to store large quantitiesof data on the media pieces 170. This storage ability is accomplished byreading data from and writing data to the media pieces 170, which isperformed by the media player 166. The picker 162 serves to transportthe media pieces 170 between the library 160 and the media player 166.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the autochanger 100 uses the imagingdevice 250 to read the indicia 196 attached to the media pieces 170.More specifically, the picker 162 moves the imaging device 250 in thehorizontal direction 110 in order to provide relative movement betweenthe imaging device 250 and an indicium 196. This movement causes theaxis AA, FIG. 3, to scan the indicium 196. Accordingly, an image of theindicum 196 is received by the imaging device 250, which generates animage of the indicium 196. Generating an image of an indicum 196 issometimes referred to as “reading” the indicum 196. Conventionalprocessing is used to decode the indicium 196 and, thus, identify themedia piece 170 to which the indicum 196 is attached.

[0051] If the imaging device 250 were not able to move relative to thepicker 162, the picker 162 would have to move in the horizontaldirection 110 beyond the columns of media pieces 170 in order for theimaging device 250 to scan the indicum 196. This extended movement wouldcause the distance D1 and/or the distance D2 to be increased, whichwould increase the width W1 of the autochanger 100. As was describedabove, one of the design objectives of the autochanger 100 is to reducethe size and, thus, the width W1 of the autochanger 100.

[0052] The autochanger 100 described above has minimal distances D1 andD2. The minimal distances D1 and D2 are achieved by moving the imagingdevice 250 to an optimal position when it reads the indicum 196. Morespecifically, the imaging device 250 is in a first position asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 when it reads the indicia 196 attached tothe media pieces 170 located in the second column 176 and the thirdcolumn 178. In order to read the indicia 196 attached to the mediapieces 170 located in the first column 174, the imaging device 250 movesto a second position, which is illustrated in FIG. 9. Moving the imagingdevice 250 from the first position to the second position is performedby the autochanger 100 moving the picker 162 to a position where itengages the engagement member 164. Once engaged, the picker 162 moves inthe horizontal direction 110, which causes the second portion 264 of thesupport mechanism 260 to move relative to the picker 162. Accordingly,the imaging device 250 moves between the first position and the secondposition relative to the picker 162.

[0053] Having summarily described the operation of the autochanger 100,it will now be described in greater detail. The following operationaldescription is based on examples of reading indicia 196 affixed to mediapieces 170 located in the second column 176 and the third column 178.The operational description follows with a description of readingindicia 196 affixed to media pieces 170 located in the first column 174.The operation of the autochanger 100 is further illustrated by the flowchart of FIGS. 10A and 10B. The operation of the autochanger 100 will bedescribed herein as starting from a “power up” mode. Upon powering up,the autochanger 100 will inventory the media pieces 170 located withinthe library 160.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, upon powering up the autochanger100, the autochanger 100 does not know where the picker 162 is locatedwithin the autochanger 100, nor does the autochanger 100 know whichposition the imaging device 250 is in. The autochanger 100 inventoryprocess commences with autochanger 100 determining the position of thepicker 162 within the autochanger 100. The autochanger 100 moves thepicker 162 in the negative vertical direction 120 until it can no longermove, meaning that the picker 162 has encountered a hard stop. Thisposition is known as the negative vertical hard stop and may be sensedby a rise in the current being supplied to the servos, which isindicative of the picker 162 encountering a hard stop. The location ofthe negative vertical hard stop may be stored by the autochanger 100 forfuture processing.

[0055] The autochanger 100 may then move the picker 162 in the positivehorizontal direction 112 until the picker 162 encounters a hard stop.This location is referred to as the positive horizontal hard stop andmay be stored by the autochanger 100 for future reference. Theautochanger 100 has information stored therein pertaining to thedistance from the positive horizontal hard stop to a point in thehorizontal direction 110 where the second portion 264 of the supportmechanism 260 aligns with the engagement member 164. Accordingly, theautochanger 100 moves the picker 162 in the negative horizontaldirection 114 to this point.

[0056] The autochanger 100 has information stored therein pertaining tothe distance from the negative vertical stop to the engagement member164. The autochanger 100 uses this information to move the picker 162 inthe positive horizontal direction 112 to a point where the engagementmember 164 may engage the second portion 264 of the support mechanism260. The autochanger 100 then moves the picker 162 in the negativehorizontal direction 114, which causes the second portion 264 of thesupport mechanism 260 to moves to the first position. More specifically,referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, the first prong 364 of the engagementmember 164 contacts the first lock 292 and the second prong 366 contactsthe second lock 293. As the picker 162 continues to move in the positivevertical direction 118, the engagement member 164 causes the first lock292 and the second lock 293 to depress into the platform 270. Thedepression of the first lock 292 and the second lock 293 into theplatform 270 allows for the second portion 264 of the support mechanism260 to be readily moved relative to the first portion 262. Theautochanger 100 instructs the picker 162 to move in the negativehorizontal direction 114 a predetermined distance, which causes theimaging device 250 to move to the first position. It should be note thatin the event the imaging device 250 is located in the first positionprior to the above-described process, the imaging device 250 will remainin the first position during the process.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the autochanger 100 then orientsitself with reference to the media pieces 170. This orientation isperformed by moving the picker 162 in the negative vertical direction120 until it encounters the negative vertical hard stop. The picker 162is then moved in the positive horizontal direction 112 until itencounters the positive horizontal hard stop. The picker 162 is now in aknown position relative to the media pieces 170 located in the library160.

[0058] At this point, the autochanger 100 may commence inventorying themedia pieces 170. The autochanger 100 moves the picker 162 predetermineddistances to a position wherein the imaging device 250 is able to readthe optical indicum 196 attached to the first media piece 180. Morespecifically, the autochanger 100 moves the picker 162 to a point wherethe axis AA intersects the left portion 197 of the indicum 196. Theautochanger 100 then moves the picker 162 in the positive horizontaldirection 112 so that the axis AA scans the indicum 196. This movementcontinues until the axis AA intersects the right portion 199 of theindicum 196. The imaging device 250 generates image data representativeof the indicum 196 in a conventional manner. The image data may identifythe first media piece 180. Accordingly, the autochanger 100 is able tocatalog the identity and location of the first media piece 180.

[0059] The autochanger 100 then moves the picker 162 in the negativehorizontal direction 114 and the positive vertical direction 118 to apoint where the axis AA intersects the left portion 197 of the indicum196 affixed to the media piece 170 located above the first media piece180. The indicum 196 is read and the identity and location of the mediapiece are cataloged as described above with reference to the first mediapiece 180. This process of reading indicia 196 is repeated for all themedia pieces 170 located in the third column 178. It should be notedthat the operation of the reading the indicum 196 may proceed in eitherthe positive horizontal direction 112 or the negative horizontaldirection 114. The autochanger 100 then moves the picker 162 so that theimaging device 250 may read the indicia 196 affixed to the media pieces170 located in the second column 176. It should be noted that theimaging device 250 may be located in either the first position or thesecond position, FIG. 9, to read the indicia 196 affixed to the mediapieces 170 located in the second column 176.

[0060] In order for the imaging device 250 to read the indicia 196affixed to the media pieces 170 located in the first column 174, theimaging device 250 has to move to the second position relative to thepicker 162 as illustrated in FIG. 9. If the imaging device 250 did notmove, the picker 162 would have to move in the horizontal direction 110beyond the right portion 132 of the chassis 130. Thus, an autochanger100 with a larger width W1 would be required. The autochanger 100 movesin the horizontal direction 110 and the vertical direction 116 to apoint where the first prong 364, FIG. 8, and the second prong 366 of theengagement member 164 contact the second stop 342, FIG. 7, of the slide330. The first prong 364, FIG. 8, and the second prong 366 may alsoserve to depress the first lock 292 and the second lock 293. The picker162 then moves in the positive horizontal direction 112, which causesthe second portion 264 to move relative to the support mechanism 260.This in turn causes the imaging device 250, FIG. 9, to move to thesecond position. The autochanger 100 then causes the picker 162 to movethe imaging device 250 to positions where the imaging device 250 mayread the indicia 196 affixed to the media pieces 170 located in thefirst column 174.

[0061] When the autochanger 100 has cataloged the identity and locationsof the media pieces 170, the autochanger 100 may write data to and readdata from the media pieces 170. Because the locations and identities ofthe media pieces 170 are known, the picker 162 may move selected mediapieces 170 to the media player 166 where data may be read from andwritten to the media pieces 170.

[0062] Having described an embodiment of the autochanger 100, otherembodiments of the autochanger 100 will now be described.

[0063] In one embodiment of the autochanger 100, sensors may be used todetermine the location of the imaging device 250 relative to the picker162. For example, a switch or the like may be operatively associatedwith the support mechanism 260. The switch may toggle to a firstdirection when the imaging device 250 is located in the first positionand the switch may toggle to a second direction when the supportmechanism 260 is located in the second position.

[0064] In another embodiment of the autochanger 100 an electromechanicaldevice may be operative associated between the imaging device 250 andthe picker 162. The electromechanical device may move the imaging device250 between the first position and the second position in a conventionalmanner.

[0065] In another embodiment of the autochanger 100, FIG. 1, the imagingdevice 250, FIG. 3, is maintained in a fixed position relative to thepicker 162. In this embodiment, a non-movable support mechanism 260 maysecure the imaging device 250 to the picker 162. In this embodiment, theindicia 196, FIG. 2, are read as described above by providing relativemovement between the imaging device 250 and the indicia 196.

[0066] It should be noted that the description herein is directed to anautochanger for illustration purposes only. In practice, the apparatusand method described herein can be used in any application where it isdesired to scan information in a compact environment.

[0067] While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of theinvention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understoodthat the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied andemployed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed toinclude such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A media handling device comprising: a supportmechanism having a first portion and a second portion wherein said firstportion is attached to said media handling device and wherein saidsecond portion is movably associated with said first portion; and animaging device attached to said support mechanism second portion; saidsupport mechanism second portion having a first operative position and asecond operative position relative to said support mechanism firstportion.
 2. The media handling device of claim 1 wherein said supportmechanism first portion is slidably attached to said support mechanismsecond portion.
 3. The media handling device of claim 1 and furthercomprising a lock mechanism associated with said support mechanismwherein said lock mechanism is adapted to lock said support mechanismsecond portion in said first operative position or in said secondoperative position relative to said support mechanism first portion. 4.The media handling device of claim 1 and further comprising a lockmechanism, said lock mechanism comprising: a lock member extendingthrough said support mechanism first portion and engaging said supportmechanism second portion, said lock member having a locked position andan unlocked position; and a detent mechanism operatively associatedbetween said support mechanism first portion and said lock member, saiddetent mechanism adapted to bias said lock member in said lockedposition.
 5. The media handling device of claim 1 wherein said imagingdevice is a fixed beam bar code reader.
 6. The media handling device ofclaim 1 wherein said media handling device is movable along a first axisand wherein said support mechanism second portion is movable relative tosaid support mechanism first portion along said first axis.
 7. The mediahandling device of claim 1 wherein said support mechanism first portioncomprises: a bracket, a retainer, a lock member, and a detent mechanism;wherein said bracket is attached to said media handling device; whereinsaid retainer is attached to said bracket; wherein said lock member ismovably associated with said bracket along a second axis and whereinsaid lock member has a locked state and an unlocked state; wherein saiddetent mechanism is operatively associated between said bracket and saidlock member and is adapted to bias said lock member in said lockedstate; and wherein said support mechanism second portion comprises: asupport member, a channel, and guide; wherein said imaging device isattached to said support member; wherein said guide is slidably engagedwith said retainer; and wherein said channel has an open portion and aclosed portion, wherein said channel engages said lock member, whereinsaid lock member is in said locked state when said lock member engagessaid channel open portion and wherein said lock member is in saidunlocked state when said lock member engages said channel closedportion.
 8. The media handling device of claim 1 and further comprisingan electromechanical device operatively associated between said supportmechanism first portion and said support mechanism second portion,wherein said electromechanical device is adapted to move said supportmechanism second portion between said first operative position and saidsecond operative position relative to said support mechanism firstportion.
 9. The media handling device of claim 1 wherein said imagingdevice has a fixed beam associated therewith.
 10. An autochangercomprising: a media library having a plurality of media holding bays; amedia handling device movably associated with said media holding bays,said media handling device comprising: a support mechanism having afirst portion and a second portion wherein said first portion isattached to said media handling device and wherein said second portionis movably associated with said first portion; said support mechanismsecond portion having a first operative position and a second operativeposition relative to said support mechanism first portion; and animaging device attached to said support mechanism second portion. 11.The autochanger of claim 10 wherein said support mechanism first portionis slidably attached to said support mechanism second portion.
 12. Theautochanger of claim 10 and further comprising a lock mechanismassociated with said support mechanism wherein said lock mechanism lockssaid support mechanism second portion in said first operative positionor in said second operative position relative to said support mechanismfirst portion.
 13. The autochanger of claim 10 and further comprising alock mechanism associated with said media handling device, said lockmechanism comprising: a lock member extending through said supportmechanism first portion and engaging said support mechanism secondportion, said lock member having a locked position and an unlockedposition; and a detent mechanism operatively associated between saidsupport mechanism first portion and said lock member, said detentmechanism adapted to bias said lock member in said locked position. 14.The autochanger of claim 10 wherein said imaging device is a fixed beambar code reader.
 15. The autochanger of claim 10 wherein said mediahandling device is movable along a first axis and wherein said supportmechanism second portion is movable relative to said support mechanismfirst portion along said first axis.
 16. The autochanger of claim 10 andfurther comprising an electromechanical device associated with saidsupport mechanism, wherein said electromechanical device is adapted tomove said support mechanism second portion between said first operativeposition and said second operative position relative to said supportmechanism first portion.
 17. The autochanger of claim 10 and furthercomprising a chassis, said chassis having an engagement member extendingtherefrom, said engagement member being positioned to contact saidsupport mechanism second portion.
 18. The autochanger of claim 10 andfurther comprising a first media holding bay, a second media holdingbay, and a light path, wherein said light path extends between saidfirst media holding bay and said imaging device when said supportmechanism second portion is in said first operative position, andwherein said light path extends between said second media holding bayand said imaging device when said support mechanism second portion is insaid second operative position.
 19. The autochanger of claim 10 whereinsaid support mechanism first portion comprises: a bracket, a retainer, alock member, and a detent mechanism; wherein said bracket is attached tosaid media handling device; wherein said retainer is attached to saidbracket; wherein said lock member is movably associated with saidbracket along a second axis and wherein said lock member has a lockedstate and an unlocked state; wherein said detent mechanism isoperatively associated between said bracket and said lock member and isadapted to bias said lock member in said locked state; and wherein saidsupport mechanism second portion comprises: a support member, a channel,and guide; wherein said imaging device is attached to said supportmember; wherein said guide is slidably engaged with said retainer; andwherein said channel has an open portion and a closed portion, whereinsaid channel engages said lock member, wherein said lock member is insaid locked state when said lock member engages said channel openportion and wherein said lock member is in said unlocked state when saidlock member engages said channel closed portion.
 20. A method forreading optical indicia attached to media pieces, said methodcomprising: providing a first media piece located at a first position,said first media piece having a first optical indicum attached thereto;providing a second media piece located at a second position, said secondmedia piece having a second optical indicum attached thereto; providinga media handling device, said media handling device comprising: asupport mechanism having a first portion and a second portion whereinsaid first portion is attached to said media handling device and whereinsaid second portion is movably associated with said first portion; saidsupport mechanism second portion having a first operative position and asecond operative position relative to said support mechanism firstportion; providing an imaging device attached to said support mechanismsecond portion; moving said support mechanism second portion to saidfirst operative position; reading said first optical indicum using saidimaging device; moving said support mechanism second portion to saidsecond operative position; and reading said second optical indicum usingsaid imaging device.
 21. The method of claim 20 and further comprisingproviding an engagement member, wherein said moving said supportmechanism second portion to said first operative position comprises:moving said media handling device to a position wherein said engagementmember contacts said support mechanism second portion; and moving saidmedia handling device relative to said engagement member, wherein saidsupport member second portion remains in a fixed position relative tosaid engagement member until said support mechanism second portion is insaid first operative position.
 22. The method of claim 20 and furthercomprising providing an engagement member, wherein said moving saidsupport mechanism second portion to said second operative positioncomprises: moving said media handling device to a position wherein saidengagement member contacts said support mechanism second portion; andmoving said media handling device relative to said engagement member,wherein said support member second portion remains in a fixed positionrelative to said engagement member until said support mechanism secondportion is in said second operative position.
 23. The method of claim 20and further comprising providing a light path between said first opticalindicum and said imaging device, wherein said first optical indicum hasa first end and a second end, and wherein said reading said firstoptical indicum comprises: moving said media handling device to aposition wherein said light path intersects said first optical indicumfirst end; moving said media handling device to a position wherein saidlight path intersects said first optical indicum second end while saidlight path continuously intersects said first optical indicum; andgenerating image data representative of said first optical indicum usingsaid imaging device.
 24. The method of claim 20 and further comprisingproviding an engagement member and providing a contact sensor, whereinsaid engagement member is positioned to contact said support mechanismsecond portion and wherein said contact sensor outputs a signal whensaid support mechanism second portion contacts said engagement member.25. The method of claim 24 and further comprising providing a motor tomove said media handling device and wherein said providing a contactsensor comprises providing a current sensor adapted to monitor electriccurrent supplied to said motor.
 26. The method of claim 20 wherein saidreading said first optical indicum comprises: causing relative movementbetween said imaging device and said first optical indicum; andgenerating image data representative of said first optical indicum whilesaid imaging device is moved relative to said first optical indicum. 27.A method for reading an optical indicum attached to a media piece, saidmethod comprising: providing a media handling device, said mediahandling device being movable relative to said optical indicum;providing a fixed beam imaging device attached to said media handlingdevice; causing relative movement between said imaging device and saidoptical indicum; generating image data representative of said opticalindicum while said imaging device is moved relative to said opticalindicum.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein said optical indicum is abar code and wherein said providing a fixed beam imaging devicecomprises providing a fixed beam bar code reader.